Celebrated every year on21 September.

Aim : To spread awareness about dementia and reducing stigma around the disease.

• Launched by: Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) in 1994
• Theme: “Ask About Dementia. Ask About Alzheimer’s”

Celebrated every year on 21 September.

• Purpose: To Promote non-violence, ceasefire, peace education, and cooperation among nations.
• First observed: 1982
• Theme: “Act Now for a Peaceful World”

CURRENT CONTEXT : The World Trade Organization (WTO) released its World Trade Report 2025, highlighting the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in boosting global trade and growth by 2040.

Relevant Data :

• AI Impact: Could raise global trade by 34–37% and GDP by 12–13% by 2040
• AI-enabling goods trade (2023): USD 3 trillion
• Digital Gap: If low- and middle-income nations halve their digital gap, income may rise by 14–15%
• Barriers:
  • Tariffs on AI goods up to 45%
  • Trade restrictions rose from 130 (2012) → 500 (2024)
• Challenges: Uneven access to AI technologies
• WTO Role: Promotes commitments under ITA & GATS; 80 AI-related trade concerns raised since 2012
• Focus: Need for open and predictable trade environment, digital infrastructure, and workforce skill development

Current Context : Puducherry has become the first Union Territory in India to achieve zero maternal mortality, a significant milestone in public health.

About Maternal Mortality

• Definition: Death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from causes related to pregnancy or its management.
• Indicator: Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) = Number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births.
• India’s MMR: 93 per 1,00,000 live births.

Global/SDG Target

• Target: Reduce MMR to 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030.

States already meeting SDG target: Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Karnataka.

Current Context : The Moran community of Assam has recently intensified its demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status from the Government of India.

About Moran Community

• Location: Mainly in Tinsukia district of Assam; also present in parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Historical Background: Had an independent kingdom at Bengmara (present-day Tinsukia) before the arrival of the Ahoms.
• Language: Earlier used a dialect from the Bodo group (Tibeto-Burman family); later shifted to Assamese.

Religious Affiliation

• Follow Vaishnavism (Moamoria sect) introduced by Sri Aniruddha Deva, disciple of Srimanta Sankardeva.
• Before Vaishnavism, they followed the Shakta faith linked to Kechaikhati Than (mother goddess shrine).

Festivals

• Gasar Talar Bihu – a traditional Bihu dance performed under a tree.
• Kheri – another popular cultural festival.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin launched the ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Hands of Love) scheme on 16 September 2025 to support orphaned children.

FEATURES :

• Benefit: ₹2,000/month per child
• Duration: Till 18 years or completion of school
• Initial Beneficiaries: 6,082 children
• Eligibility:
  • Children who lost both parents
  • Children with one surviving parent unable to care
• Legal Basis: Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• Additional Aid: Laptops to 1,340 orphan students (Class 12 pass, entering college)
• Digital App: Developed with TN e-Governance Agency for
  • Online applications
  • Grievance redressal
  • Real-time monitoring of beneficiaries

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Bihar government led by CM Nitish Kumar has expanded the Mukhya Mantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana in 2025 to include unemployed graduates, aiming to empower youth and promote employment.

ABOUT THE SCHEME

• Name: Mukhya Mantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana
• Launched by: Government of Bihar
• Eligibility: Unemployed graduates (Arts/Science/Commerce), aged 20–25 years, not studying/working/self-employed
• Benefit: ₹1,000 per month for 2 years
• Earlier Scope: Only for intermediate pass unemployed youth
• Objective: Encourage skill training, competitive exam preparation, and youth self-reliance
• Target: To help achieve Bihar’s goal of creating 1 crore jobs in 5 years
• Part of: 7 Nischay Programme (Youth Welfare & Skill Development)

Current Context : Marium Fatima from Muzaffarpur has become Bihar’s first Woman FIDE Master (WFM), marking a historic milestone for the state in the field of chess.

About Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Title

• Awarded by: Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE)
• Significance: An official international chess title, ranked below Woman International Master (WIM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM).
• Basis of Award: Achieved through outstanding rating performance and results in recognized FIDE tournaments.

CURRENT CONTEXT Gourangalal Das, a 1999 batch IFS officer, has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to South Korea.

ABOUT

• Former Director General, India-Taipei Association
• Expert in East Asia affairs and China-related negotiations

Current Context : The water level at Pong Dam, which lies on the Beas in Himachal Pradesh, has risen by more than five feet above the maximum permissible level due to heavy rainfall during the past few days.

ABOUT PONG DAM

also known as the Beas Dam or Maharana Pratap Sagar.

• Location: Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh (in the Shivalik hills)
• River: Beas River
• Year of Completion: 1975
• Type: Earth-fill embankment dam
• Reservoir Name: Maharana Pratap Sagar
• Reservoir Area: ~260 sq. km
• Catchment Area: 12,562 sq. km
• Main Purpose: Water storage for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, flood control
• Ramsar Site: Pong Dam Lake is a designated Ramsar wetland site and wildlife sanctuary of international importance.